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tool-design

Define structured tool schemas specifying inputs, outputs, errors, and triggers.

1|Updated Jan 27, 2026
Search Tags:#architecture#consistency#prompt-engineering#tool-design#agent-tools#tool-schema
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/phonowell/mimikit --skill tool-design-phonowell
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: tool-design
Source: https://github.com/phonowell/mimikit/tree/main/.agents/skills/context-engineering-collection/skills/tool-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/phonowell/mimikit --skill tool-design-phonowell

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

The skill addresses the challenge of unclear, inconsistent, and ambiguous tool interfaces used by agents. It promotes unambiguous contracts through structured, machine-readable tool schemas, reducing confusion and errors during tool selection and execution.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Defines structured tool schemas that specify name, inputs, outputs, returns, errors, and activation triggers.
  • Provides automated evaluation and auditing of tool descriptions using a standardized scoring scheme (clarity, completeness, accuracy, actionability, consistency).
  • Gives guidance on tool consolidation, naming conventions, and architectural decisions (e.g., MCP compliance, primitive vs. specialized tools) to reduce complexity and improve reliability.

Quick Start

Create a new tool schema using the ToolSchemaBuilder, render a machine-readable description with generate_tool_description, and optionally validate it with ToolDescriptionEvaluator.

Frequently Asked Questions about tool-design

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I design clear and reliable tool schemas for AI agents?▼

Design clear agent tool schemas by defining structured, machine-readable interfaces that specify name, inputs, outputs, returns, errors, and activation triggers to reduce ambiguity and prevent execution errors.

What is the best way to audit agent tool descriptions for consistency?▼

Audit agent tool descriptions using a standardized scoring scheme that evaluates clarity, completeness, accuracy, actionability, and consistency to ensure unambiguous contracts across engineering teams.

How do I consolidate agent tools to improve architectural reliability?▼

Consolidate agent tools by applying naming conventions and architectural decisions, such as choosing primitive versus specialized tools, to reduce complexity and improve system reliability.

When should I use primitive versus specialized tools in agent architecture?▼

Choose primitive tools for broad, fundamental operations and specialized tools for targeted tasks, balancing minimal architecture with scalability to govern your tool collection effectively.

Does MCP compliance affect how I build tool interfaces for agents?▼

MCP compliance provides governance and architectural guidance for building tool interfaces, ensuring your agent tools maintain clear contracts and scalable architecture across engineering teams.

Why are my AI agents selecting the wrong tools during execution?▼

Agents select wrong tools due to unclear, inconsistent, or ambiguous tool interfaces; resolving this requires structured tool schemas that enforce unambiguous contracts for tool selection.

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